CM critical of Cong, PPP not holding rallies on martyrdom day

HT Correspondent,
Khatkar Kalan

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Updated: Mar 23, 2013 22:42 IST

Attacking the Congress and the People's Party of Punjab for their decision to not hold a rally to pay tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other martyrs, state chief minister claimed that both the parties did not value freedom of the country.

He alleged that Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Partap Singh Bajwa had deemed his own formal elevation to the post as more pressing than paying tribute to martyrs.

However, the new PPCC chief did visit the village in the morning to pay his tributes to the martyrs. When questioned on the party's decision not to hold a political rally in the village this time, he claimed that the party had chosen this day for his elevation to the post, as it understood the historical significance of this day.

The CM later claimed added that the People's Party of Punjab (PPP) chief Manpreet Singh Badal had launched his outfit from Bhagat Singh's village, but had failed to honour the memory of freedom fighters.

"I have never missed this historical day to pay tribute to martyrs in my entire political career," he claimed.

He claimed that a 'Jang-e-Azaadi' memorial would be constructed in Kartarpur at a cost of Rs 200 crore.

Another memorial to mark the great services rendered by Punjabis in Armed forces of the country, will be built at Amritsar, he added.

Badal claimed that refusal of Punjabi speaking areas and transfer of Chandigarh to the Punjab along with denial of legitimate share of river water were examples of centre's discrimination with the state.

The CM also sent a message to the local SAD unit for loss of Nawanshahr and Banga assembly seats. He said: "Sanu ta apnia ne thok deta c. (We were thrashed in the assembly polls by our own men)."

The CM also felicitated the niece of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Raminder Kaur Maan and nephew of Shaheed Sukhdev, Vinod Thapar.